What European r. cruise for July w/81 year orld mom? Casual, affordability, scenery

[dcsam]

We loved the Coastal Norwegian Voyage cruise, but are ready to try something else. We prefer a more casual atmosphere and dress code. What line itinerary should I be looking at? I glanced at a couple ones this evening and it would appear that a 7 night trip would be in the $3500-$4,000 per person range. Does that seem extremely high?
Thank you
Carrie

[letsgo39]

I take it that includes airfare.If so that leaves the actual amount of the cruise at about $1900.00.Just about right.Remember that includes everything.You really would not have to spend anything ellse if you didn't want to.
Avalon has a a cruise called "Romantic Rhine" and is 7 days on the water with the other 2 days being travel days.This cruise goes from Basel to Amsterdam and includes the MOST scenic part of the Rhine which is the Rhine Gorge from Mainz to Cologne. It has castles all along the route on the hillsides and is really beautiful.
Avalon and Amadeaus have both gotten excellent reviews on these boards.
PLease bear in mind that some of the shore excursians can include lots of walking on cobblestone streets. Of course nothing says you have to do anything but sit on the boat.LOL

[steamboats]

Carrie,

Except for Deilmann and Seacloud all river cruise companies plying the US market are casual. To name a few Amadeus, Avalon, Grand Circle Travel, Uniworld, Vantage, Viking. All offer included shore tours, some include wine for dinner. All offer air fare. No bad company out there (some complaints about Grand Circle).

First choose the itinerary you like. Rhine River (Amsterdam - Basel) is partly very scenic (the Middle Rhine Valley has lots of castles). Amsterdam - Budapest is another favourite or Prague - Budapest (but be aware this one includes a 5 hour bus ride from Prague to Nuremberg). Prague - Budapest includes 3 major cities in Europe: Prage, Vienna and Budapest (some also include Bratislava, the capital of the Slovakian Republic).

If you´ve choosen an itinerary compare the cruise companies. They nearly all offer the same routes but the details may differ. As an example, you don´t want to miss Ruedesheim if you´re doing the Rhine river route. Some companies have skipped this stop.

If there are two companies offering the same or nearly the same itinerary compare the amenities of the ship, like cabin size, entertainment, free wine for dinner ...

Using the search function of this board you´d be able to find reviews about nearly every offered cruise.

steamboats